"..."Bus Stop" doesn't cut as deep as Inge's classic, the Pulitzer winner "Picnic," and its narrative construction is a bit dated and creaky, but it still impresses with its affirmation of basic human decency that seems in particularly short supply nowadays."Read Full Review

Philip Brandes

Broadway World- Recommended

"...You get the feeling Grace has seen it all in the years she has been there and is doing her best to train her latest waitress, high school senior Elma (played with perfect, wide-eyed innocence by Mani Yarosh). Winds are blowing outside as they fill containers with sugar and salt preparing for the next bus to arrive, and then it begins to snow heavily and the phone goes dead. So Grace fully expects to hear the roads are closing. Sheriff Will Masters (tall and confident Shawn Savage) soon arrives confirming it, and Grace knows full well whoever is on the arriving bus will wind up spending hours, or perhaps even overnight, with no place other than her diner to stay, rest and eat."Read Full Review

Shari Barrett

LA Splash- Recommended

"...What is perhaps most surprising about BUS STOP, written so many years ago, is how timely the tale remains. Small towns and bus stops still exist, and Inge's character remain fascinating and fun. Let's not forget just how funny some of these situations can also be. Bits of hilarity are artfully interspersed with some very realistic and enduring questions."Read Full Review

Elaine Mura

Stage Scene LA- Highly Recommended

"...No one wrote about 1950s middle-America more accurately, astringently, and affectionately than "Playwright of the Midwest" William Inge, proof positive of which can now be seen in Theatre 40's absolutely terrific revival of Inge's 1955 gem."Read Full Review

Steven Stanley

Showmag- Highly Recommended

"...Will Masters becomes a model of fairness and justice as played by Shawn Savage. And Dr. Lyman is a tragic parody of a downtrodden academician fueled by alcohol as he runs from his past and hides from the present. Mani Yarosh is sweet and endearing as the woman-child Elma. Kaitlin Huwe is stunning as the cheapishly endearing chanteuse, Cherie; we empathize with her and understand that she is a victim of her ignorance and misunderstandings of love and life."Read Full Review

Ben Miles

Accessibly Live Off-Line- Recommended

"...This is one of those stage pieces composed by William Inge that fit within the annals of theater that have been studied for its character development many times over-the same procedure that plays by Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, and a host of other similar writers that are taken as academic masterpieces. In spite of its intellectual structure this play may contain, BUS STOP still holds up to its entertainment value. Granted, it's part of the 1950's-era vista, and rightly so. Those times may seem innocent in today's landscape, but were far from anything as being safe and secure. No matter though! Theatre 40 continues to provide an eclectic variety of stage plays as presented through the facilities of artistic director David Hunt Stafford. With the selection of plays as performed by this theatre troupe, it's always a treat to see a time-tested classic. BUS STOP is one of those plays that will leave the driving to "us"!"Read Full Review